BBB Wise Giving Report for
Optimist International Foundation

BBB Wise Giving Report issued September 2010
BBB Wise Giving Report expires September 2012


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Optimist International Foundation
Address: 4494 Lindell Blvd.
  Saint Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-371-6000
Web Address: www.oifoundation.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1971, Missouri
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "to seek, receive and manage funds and real and personal property for the benefit of Optimist International and its Member Clubs in its charitable, literary and educational activities."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Optimist International Foundation (OIF) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

OIF reports that it serves 1.5 million youth annually. OIF depends on support from Optimist Clubs and individual members, the general public, businesses, and corporations. The organization provides funding for Optimist International's scholarships, Internet Safety program, Childhood Cancer Campaign, Junior Golf program, and the JOOI youth clubs.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, OIF's program expenses were:

  
Charitable, literary and educational programs 617,389
Scholarships and grant programs 497,076
Total Program Expenses: $1,114,465
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Judith A. Smith, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $134,618

Chair of the Board: William H. Teague
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired Educator

Board Size: 5

Paid Staff Size: 4

*October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, special events, Internet appeals, print advertisements, radio, and cause-related marketing.
Fund raising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,307,162, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

               

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on OIF's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 728,499
Club grant program 254,265
Endowments 203,528
Interest and dividends 185,060
CCDHH scholarships 120,870
Other 17,026
Increase in cash value of life insurance 2,068
Unrealized and realized losses on investments -63,859
Total Income $1,447,457


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 75%  Fund Raising: 10%  Administrative: 15% 

Total income   $1,447,457
  Program expenses $1,114,465
  Fund raising expenses 152,428
  Administrative expenses 226,253
 
Total expenses   $1,493,146
Expenses in Excess of Income   (45,689)
Beginning net assets   2,925,060
Other Changes in Net Assets (120,375)
Ending net assets   2,758,996
Total liabilities   2,904,913
Total assets   $5,663,909

Note: In the financial section above, other changes in net assets refers to a change in value of charitable gift annuities.

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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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